MSH was presented on 6 March 2017 with Vice-President of the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip

Throughout the meeting, the role that Madrid Startup House Foundation will play in overcoming the challenge of adapting to the Digital Single Market was discussed. TheDigital Single Market is one of the European Commission’s key priorities: it aims to tear down regulatory barriers and create a more vibrant, connected and seamless European Digital Market.

Key players of the Madrid ecosystem met to discuss how Madrid Startup House Foundation can help Madrid adjust to Digital Single Market, and become an internationally recognised startup hub

The event was opened by Andrus Ansip, Vice-President of the Digital Single Market. He explained that Europe is full of creativity, that there are lots of good ideas, but that to scale-up in the European Union is difficult. He said that the Digital Single Market, is needed for everybody and will be really beneficial for startups. VP EC Ansip also highlighted the huge market potential we have in the EU, with 500 million customers, and how mobile applications are an incredible source of jobs which are often undervalued.

The event was chaired by Manuel Gago, Vice-President of the Spanish Confederation of Directors and Executives (Confederación Española de Directivos y Empresarios, ‘CEDE’). Focusing on the city level, Carlos Barrabés (Serial Entrepreneur, Barrabés.com) insisted on the importance of networks by claiming that Madrid Startup House is a really collaborative project, as it can count on the support of the people of Madrid and “it will include us in a greater European network‘.

Victor Teodosio, Co-founder of Madrid Startup House, talks about the origins of the project.

Victor Teodosio, Co-Founder of Madrid Startup House Foundation (Hugin and Munin), introduced the concept of Madrid Startup House by saying that the idea was born through Startup Europe. He said, “Madrid is a city with a lot of activities for startups; there are a lot of resources, but they are widely dispersed. What is needed is a single entry point to connect all players in the ecosystem. The overall goal of Madrid Startup House is to position Madrid as an internationally recognised Digi-Tech and Startup-Friendly city, and connect to other markets such as the rest of Europe, the US and Latin America”.

Asier Basterretxea-Gomez, Co-Founder of Madrid Startup House Foundation (Socios Inversores), went on to explain the long-term goals of Madrid Startup House Foundation. He said, “Our goal is to position Madrid in the top ten digital cities in Europe by 2020, and to be in the top 5 by 2025. We want to inspire: we want to inspire digital talent, inspire people to invest in startups, and most importantly, inspire women and facilitate their route into entrepreneurship”.

Teresa Alarcos, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of Madrid startup House Foundation, spoke about potential partnerships and sponsors

Teresa Alarcos, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees,concluded the presentation of the initiative with a strong call to action, informing all participants that “We are now creating personalised sponsorship and partnership programmes for those that want to sponsor Madrid Startup House. Partnering with Madrid Startup House Foundation will not only boost your city of Madrid, but it will have a direct, positive impact on you too. ”

The decision to focus this initiative at a city level was also discussed. Isidro Laso, Head of the Startup Europe initiative at the European Commission, pointed out that, “We know via Startup Europe, that startups are a local phenomenon. It’s not even regional, it’s very local – on a city level”. He said, however, that “even within cities there can be several ecosystems co-existing. The target is to establish in these cities the homogenous structures where they do exist yet. The EU added value is then connecting all of these cities together”.

Asier Basterretxea-Gomez, Co-Founder of Madrid Startup House Foundation, also added that “The principles on which Madrid Startup House is based, its methodology, is such that it can then be transferred to other ecosystems, and become itself a white paper of best practices”.